CHARLESTON - Two of the state Department of Health and Human Resources' top lawyers might be suing the agency, according to a report earlier this week.

The Charleston Daily Mail reported Monday that the two lawyers -- deputy secretary for legal affairs Susan Perry and general counsel Jennifer Taylor -- along with assistant secretary John Law, have been on paid leave since the middle of July.

The three reportedly questioned the agency's decision to award Ohio-based Fahlgren Mortine a marketing and advertising contract worth nearly $480,000.

According to the Daily Mail, the State selected the Fahlgren Mortine over three lower bidders.

The newspaper reported that last week a lawyer for Perry and Taylor sent Robert Fucillo, the DHHR's acting secretary, a "litigation hold request."

Fucillo placed Perry, Taylor and Law on paid leave. The acting secretary -- who previously served as the agency's deputy secretary and general counsel, and represented the DHHR as an assistant attorney general -- has not said why.

The request, sent Friday, asked the agency to preserve documents in the matter -- most likely to be used in a future legal action, according to the Daily Mail.